Ballet slipper



Nov. 29, 1932. JH'J'. DOMAHOSKI BALLET SLIPPER Filed April 10. 1931 JZJDOma/zos 25 hJb 3 Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNETED STATES JOSEPH JOHN DOMAI-IOSKI,

OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN BALLET sLIPrEn Application filed April 10,

This invention aims to provide a simple but effective means for supporting the arch of a ballet slipper, or like article of foot wear.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

A preferred form of the invention has been shown in the drawing but it will be understood that a shoemaker, working within the scope of what is claimed may make such changes as his skill may suggest without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows in perspective, a ballet slipper constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, wherein parts are broken away;

Figure 3 is a plan of the strip which is attached to the sides of the slipper;

Figure 4 is a transverse view showing the tie in place;

Figure 5 is a fragmental elevation showing a modification;

Figure 6 shows a tie for use with the modification of Figure 5.

The numeral 1 designates a ballet slipper or like article of footwear, provided on its sides with upstanding projections 2. The sole is marked by the numeral 3. A U-shaped bead 4 is inverted over the upper edge ofthe slipper.

In carrying out the invention, strips 5 are provided, and may be made of leather, cloth, or other material which will be flexible, and still not stretch to any appreciable extent.

Each strip includes an elongated body 6 provided at its upper end with a rearwardly extended head 7, the head having a straight lower edge 8 disposed at an obtuse angle to the adjacent longitudinal edge of the body 6 of the strip, the head having a convexed edge 9 which conforms in shape to the projection The upper edge 9 of the head 7 may be re- 7 ceived within the bead 1 and be held therein, and upon the side of the slipper, through the V instrumentality of the stitching 10 whereby the bead 4 is secured to the upper edge of the slipper. The body 6 of the strip extends 1931. Serial No. 529,170.

downwardly to the sole3 and may have its lower end secured in thesole. Along the forward edge of the body.6 of the strip 5 extends a line of stitching 11, which connects the strip to the side of the slipper. The strip 5 is attached, further, to the side of the slipper, by a line of stitching 12 which extends upwardly along the rear edge of the body 6 of the strip, and backwardly along the edge 8 of the head 7. A loop-shaped stitching 14 connects the head 7 with the side of the slipper. Within the reenforcing stitching 14, the head 7 of the strip 5, and the side of the slipper, are provided with registering openings in which an eyelet 15 is mounted, the opening of the eyelet being marked by the numeral 16. A tie 17 may be engaged through the openings 16, and the tie may be knotted together, as shown at 18.

When the tie is in place, the tie together with the strips 5 will afford a support for the arch. The support should be provided at the place where the body 6 of the strip is located in Figure 2, but the tie should be engaged with the projections 2, and it is in order to provide an adequate support for the tie 17 that the rearwardly extended heads are supplied. v

In the modification shown in Figure 5, parts hereinbefore described have been designated by numerals previously used, with the suflix b. The modification consists in omitting the eyelet 15, the registered openings 16a being adapted for the reception of the tie.

The openings, such as the openings 16, may be of any desired kind, and any sort of tie may be used. Thus, in Figure 6, the tie 25 is in the form of an elastic strip having buttons 26 at each end, adapted to engage in the openings of the shoe or slipper.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

An article of footwear of the ballet slipper type, comprising a sole and an upper, the sole being slightly curved in an upward direction, intermediate its ends, to form a ball and a heel, oppositely disposed strips on the upper and extended from the sole to the top edge of the upper, the strips having rearwardly extended heads, and a single transverse tie connecting the heads: there being but one strip on each side of the slipper, so that the upper and the sole will be freely flexible, longitudinally, both in front of and behind the strips, the lower ends of the strips being farther from the heel than from the part of the ball that contacts with the floor, and the strips being disposed substantially at right angles to the sole, thereby giving the strips a direct upward pull on the ball when the rear part of the slipper is flexed upwardly and forwardly, in dancing, the said upward and forward movement of the rear part of the slipper serving to carry the tie forwardly toward a position directly above the strips, as said upward and forward movement of the rear part of the slipper increases, thereby to increase the upward pull upon the ball.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

JOSEPH JOHN DOMAHOSKI. 

